Centrifugal atomizer



Aug. 26 192430 5. M. DICK CENTRIFUGAL ATOMIZER Original Filed Dec. 8, 1919 UNIT- m mam/"@1 0 Patented Aug. 2%, 1924.

@FFHQEO SAMUEL M. DICK, 0F MINNEAPQLIS, lfEINNESOTA.

CENTRIFUGAL ATOMIEZER.

Application filed Deeembei 8, 1919, Serial To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that l, SAMUEL MEDARY DICK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Atomizers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in liquid spraying or atomizing devices and more particularly to those of the rotary type, in which the liquid is thrown out wardly by centrifugal force. lthe present device is intended primarily for use in dehydrating apparatus, such as those employed in the manufacture of milk powder, condensed milk, butter substitutes and the like, but its useis not restricted to any particular field.

One object of the invention is to provide a simply constructed and inexpensive atomizer which will effectively atomize the milk by feeding it in small streams to the concave sides of a plurality of substantially concavo-convex discs, so that such liquid will be spread into thin films on the discs as it feeds outwardly toward the peripheral edges thereof by centrifugal force. By thus reducing the milk or other liquid to a film before it is discharged, it may come into intimate contact with the air circulating in the dehydrating cell and thus maximum drying efficiency may be derived from such air.

Another object is to give the peripheral edges of the discs an abrupt turn in the same eneral direction as the curvature of said iscs, to assist materially in reducing the liquid to the required films.

A still further object is to provide the edges of the discs with teeth which serve to split the films of liquid into a multiplicity of streams of infinitesimal size to insure most through action of the air currents thereon.

Yet another object is to provide an atomizer constructed of a plurality of discs of the above-named type and relatively small but thick spacing discs between them, said spacing discs having novel means for feeding the milk to the concave sides of the other discs. By thus constructing the device of No. 343,415. Renewed February 15, 1924.

a plurality of discs, it is possible that any suitable number of such discs may be used, according to the amount of liquid to be itEgmlZed into the dehydrating cell or the A still further object is to provide a novel mounting means for the atomizer which will permit it to be readily removed whenever necessary for cleaning, repairing, etc.

With the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this application.

Figure 1 is a vertical section of an atomizer and its mounting means. constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of one of the spacing discs.

Fig. 3 is an edge view of the discs shown in Fig. 2.

In carrying out my invention, I employ a plurality of discs 1 which are preferably of substantially concavo-convex form, said discs being spaced apart on a common axis and having their peripheral edges turned rather abruptly in the same general directlon as the disc curvature as indicated at 2. These edges of the discs are in most instances provided with teeth 3 for splitting the liquid into extremely small streams as it is discharged. In connection with the discs I employ suitable mounting and driving means having appropriate means for discharging the liquid in streams against the concave sides of the discs. and although the mounting and driving means shown is preferably used, others might well be employed.

In most forms of the invention. I prefer that the central zone 4: of each disc shall be flat, that the portion of the disc between the flat part 4 and the peripheral portion. shall be gently curved as indicated at 5. and that said peripheral portion shall be abruptly curved to produce the formation 2 above described, and although not essential, I have found that excellent results are obtained when the curvature at the peripheral edges of the disc is such that a line drawn tangentially thereto from the outer edge portion of the curve, will be positioned at approximately 105 to the axis upon liquid which the atomizer rotates. The teeth 3 may be of the V-shape shown or of any other adequate contour.

A tubular shaft 6 carries the several discs 1 and is adapted to conduct the liquid thereto, being provided with discharge openings 7 for this purpose. Although these openings might discharge liquid directly on the discs, the liquid is first preferably received in Circular channels 8 in spacing discs- 9 which are interposed between the discs 1. Each disc 9 is provided with a central shaft receiving opening 10 and the channel 8 may well be formed by increasing the size of this opening at one end, as shown. From the channels 8, the liquid feeds outwardly by centrifugal force through preferably radial grooves 11 formed in the sides of the discs 9 which contact with the concave faces of the discs 1. The liquid is received in sufficient quantity in the channels 8 to insure a steady supply to the grooves 11 and these grooves discharge such liquid in small streams onto restricted portions of the discs 1. These streams are thrown outwardly by centrifugal force upon the concave sides of the discs 1 and are thus spread and flattened into films, and when the abrupt edges 2 of the discs are encountered, these films are further widened and thus thinned. These extremely thin films of liquid are split up by the teeth 3 into streams of extremely small size and it will thus be seen that the can be efiectively acted on by the currents of air in the dehydrating cell or the like, so that maximum-drying efliciency may be derived from such. currents.

Any number of the discs 1 and 9may be employed and although they could be held on the shaft 6 in any preferred manner, they are preferably clamped detachably on said shaft between an external shoulder 12 and a nut 13, and a screw plug 1 1 may well close the end of the shaft 6 and at the same time serve as a lock for said nut. When the nut and plug are removed, all of the discs may be detached for cleaning. This construction also permits the most suitable number of discs to be applied to the shaft. Cleaning of the grooves 11 is greatly facilitated by increasing said grooves gradually in size toward their inner ends as illustrated in the drawing. This is also of advantage in holding in reserve a sufficient quantity of liquid to insure a steady discharge from the contracted outer ends of said grooves.

The shaft 6 may be mounted rotatably in any preferred manner, but I have found that it 1s highly desirable to provide a mounting for said shaft which will permit the entire atomizer to be removed whenever required. The numeral 15 designates a preferably cylindrical metal sleeve anchored by prongs or other suitable means 16 in a support 17 which may well be the top ofa dehydrating cell. The lower end of sleeve 15 is provided with an amnular internal shoulder 18 which is preferably formed by inwardly bending said sleeve, while the other end of the sleeve which extends beyond the support 17 is split at 19 and provided with contracting means preferably consisting of a split band 20 and a bolt 21 for drawing its ends to-' gether. Disposed within the sleeve 15 is a bearing 22 for the shaft 6, and ball bearings 23 may well be provided between said shaft and bearing. Bearing 22 is provided with spaced discs or the like 2 1 and 25, the latter resting on the shoulder 18, while the former is surrounded by the split end of the sleeve 15. By contracting this end around the disc 24,-the entire mounting means of the shaft is rigidly held in place, but loosen ing of the bolt 21 permits all parts to be withdrawn through the sleeve 15, this sleeve being of such size as to permit free passage of the discs 1 therethrough.

By employing a mounting of the above described nature for the shaft 6, the entire atomizer may be easily removed for effective cleaning or for repairing, and may be reinstalled with equal ease.

From the foregoing, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be seen that l have provided a centrifugal atomizer of comparatively simple and inexpensive nature, yet one which will be highly efficient and in every way desirable. Since probably the best results may be obtained from the details disclosed, they may wellbe followed, but within the scope of the 1nvention as claimed, numerous changes may be made.

I claim:

1. A centrifugal atomizer adapted to be mounted in a dehydrating cell and comprising a tubular rotatably mounted shaft having radial liquid discharge openlngs, and a plurality of spaced concavo-convex imperforate disks fixedly mounted on said shaftfor rotation bodily therewith, all of said dlSlCS curving in the same direction, said radlal openings being positioned between sald disks.

2. A structure as specified in claim 1, the peripheral edges of said discs being abruptly turned in the same general direction taken by the curvature of said discs, whereby to flatten the streams of liquid into a single film.

3. A structure as specified in claim 1, the peripheral edges of said discs having fine teeth to gently divide the liquid into a multiplicity of small streams as it discharges by centrifugal force from the edges of the discs.

41. A structure as specified in claim 1, the peripheral edges of said discs being abruptly turned in the same general direction taken by the curvature of said discs, whereby to flatten the streams into a single film, said rao aac abruptly turned edges being provided with fine teeth to gently divide said film into a multiplicity of small streams as said film is discharged from the discs by centrifugal force.

5. A- centrifugal atomizer comprising a tubular shaft, spaced discs mounted at their centers on said shaft, said shaft having an opening between said discs, and a smaller but relatively thick disc between and in contact with said spaced discs, said relatively thick disc having a shaft receiving opening, a channel surrounding said shaft in communication with the opening of said shaft, and grooves radiating from said channel.

6. A structure as specified in claim 5, together with a shoulder and a nut on said shaft, between which said discs are clamped.

7. A structure as specified in claim 5, said grooves increasing in size toward their inner ends.

8. A centrifugal atomizing head comprising a concavo-convex disc, a plurality of radial liquid discharge passages extending outwardly along the concave side of said disc and contiguous thereto for discharging circumferentially spaced streams of liquid directly onto the latter, and means for rotating said disc and supplying liquid to said passages.

9. A centrifugal atomizer adapted to be mounted in a dehydrating cell and comprising a plurality of imperforate concavo-cone Vex disks, all curving in the same direction,

rotatable supporting means for said disks,

said supporting means comprising means spacing said disks apart and rigidly securing them in spaced relation, whereby said disks may be rotated at the same speed and in the same direction, said spacing means being disposed centrally of said disks and having means for discharging streams of liquid at circumferentially spaced points onto the concave sides of the disks, whereby said'streams will flatten against said con cave sides as they flow outwardly by centrifugal force. r

10. A centrifugal atomizer comprising a tubular shaft, spaced disks mounted at their centers on said shaft, said shaft having ports between said disks for discharging liquid, and a smaller but relatively thick disk between and in contact with said spaced disks, said relatively thick disk having a plurality of radial grooves formed in one of its sides to receive the liquid from said ports and discharge it onto one of said disks.

lln testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

SAMUEL M. DICK. 

